Saint Lucia’s top junior cyclist, Denver Alphonse Jr enjoyed one of the best results of his career when he won the Under-23 category in the Challenge des Présidents Clubs held in Martinique over the weekend.
Riding for ASC Karaïbes Culture Sports, Alphonse Jr finished 21st overall, but first of four in his division in the 132-kilometre race on Sunday, February 8.
The gruelling seven-lap race along the Rivière Salée-Old Medecin road-Sainte-Luce circuit, saw 50 registered riders taking part.
It was just the second race of the year for 18-year-old Alphonse Jr, the 2025 junior cyclist of the year, who has represented Saint Lucia at regional and international events.
He finished in 3:33:35, 12 minutes and 14 seconds behind winner, Edwin Nubul.
“Race conditions were pretty okay. In the starting, the race departed around roughly 31 to 32 kilometres per hour, so it was very easy to stay in the peloton. All I needed to do in that moment was make sure I was in the first 13, so that if a breakaway was to get off the front, I would be able to make it,” Alphonse Jr told St Lucia Times.
“But my coach Alex Noreskal told me to remain positioned in the peloton with the other U23’s to scope out that result instead, and leave the senior podium to my senior teammate, Benjamin Payen. I am pretty satisfied with my results, considering it’s my second senior race as a U23, and I am just coming out of a base period of four months of training. So yes, I am pretty satisfied with it.”
Alphonse is back at training with local coaches Chester Forde and Leo Serieux, as he prepares for his next engagement, the Grand Prix Milleco.Shop in Martinique over Saint Lucia’s Independence weekend, February 21 and 22.
The Club Presidents’ Challenge, the first in a series of races, was hosted by Club Neutre Martinique, under the auspices of the Fédération Française de Cyclisme.
